Bag closing device



May 23, 1933.

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c. F ALLISON BAG CLOSING DEVICE *1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fi1ed Jan. 24

May 23, 1933. c. F. ALLISON BAG CLOSING DEVICE 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 24,

5 U ClaarZes aflzzas am May 23, 1933. c. F. ALLISON 1,911,136 I BAG CLOSING DEVICE I Filed Jan. 24, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented May 23, 1933 [UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES F. ALLISON, OF HEGEWISCH, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORI TO B. I. GUM? (70., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS BAG CLOSING DEVICE Application filed January 24, 1930. Serial No. 423,059.

View of one of the sprockets for the bag conveyor and the feed regulator therefor.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View of Figure 13 looking in the direction of the arrows upon the line XIV- the empty neck of the bag, fold the same so XIV as to provide a substantially lock fold and apply a piece of adhesive tape.

The invention comprises the novel struc ture and combination of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred form of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the different views:

bag closing machine embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the machine.

Figure 3 isan enlarged fragmentary side elevational View of the bag conveyor and associated parts.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken upon the line IV-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the endtucking mechanism and associated parts.

Figure 6 is an enlarged side elevational View of the mechanism shown in Figure 5.

-Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken upon the line VII-VII of Figure 2 showing. parts in elevation.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view through a point near the mouth of the forming mechanism for folding the neck of the bag.

Figure 9 is also an enlarged sectional View through the forming mechanism at a more advanced point.

Figure 10 is a further enlarged sectional view through the forming mechanism illustrating a more advanced portion thereof.

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional View through the forming mechanism illustrating the completion of the fold.

Figure 12 is a rear end elevational View showing the feeding belt in section.

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary plan Figure 15 is an enlarged end elevational View of the transmission for the tape shown in Figure 17.

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional view through the tape moistening chamber showing the different rollers in end elevation taken upon the line XVIXVI of Figure 17.

Figure 17 is an enlarged sectional View taken upon the line XVIIXVII of Figure 16 showing the rollers in elevation. Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a' Figure 18 is an enlarged view taken upon the line XVIIIXVIII of Figure 16 showing the rollers in elevation.

Figure 19 is an elevational view of a modified tape applying mechanism. a

In the drawings there is illustrated a machine to which the filled bags are adapted to be delivered. The machine involves mechanism for regulating the feeding of the filled bags, for putting end tucks in the empty neck of the bag, for scoring the neck of the bag to facilitate the folding operation, for folding the neck of the bag after scoring find for pasting a tape over the top of the Figure 1 shows a delivery-or feeding conveyor 1 which delivers the filled bags 2 to the machine. It should however be understood that such a feed conveyor isnot necessary since the bags may manually be placed upon the su porting platform 3 of the machine. Mec anism has been provided for regulating the feeding of the filled bags to the machine and in the present embodiment of this invention, this mechanism consists of an arm 4 (Figures 1 and 12 to 14) which ex tends into the path of the bags. This arm 4 is pivoted to the frame of the machine as indi cated at 5. A spring 6 attached to the frame has a cam 7 extending in the path of a conveyor roller 8. This spring 6 extends over said arm and carries a pin 9 for holding said arm 4 in the path of said bag. It will be noted that the bag conveyor 10 comprises lugs 11 to which bag propelling or convey ing arms 12 are ivoted. Each arm 12 has an inwardly slopmg lug l3 that'carries the roller 8 which rolls against a track 14 as best shown in Figures 3 and 4. Each arm 12 also carries a bag propeller 12a which is in the form of a plate. A spring 15 hearing against the arm 4 tends to project the same in the path of the bag.

During the travel of the conveyor chain, each roller 8 will in turn ride upon the cam 7 and move the spring 6 to remove the pin 9 from engaging said arm, at which time the oncoming bag will move the arm 4 against the tension of the spring 15 out of its path allowing such bag to be deposited upon the bag platform 3. As soon as such bag passes the arm 4, the spring 15 will project said arm in the path of the oncoming bag with the result that the bags will be delivered to the platform 3 as required and no accumulation of bags thereon can occur.

As soon as the bag is deposited upon the bag platform or runway 3, it will be engaged upon its rear by a propeller 12a carried by a propelled arm 12 as shown in Figure 1. The platform or runway 3 is preferably equipped with a pair of spaced parallel upright adjustable guides 3a between which the bag is guided as it is propelled along its course for the different operations to be performed.

As soon as the bag is started upon its course by a propeller 1241, the ends of the empty neck 2a of the bag are tucked in by mechanism which is shown more clearly in Figures 5 and 6. In referring to these figures it will be noted that an upright support 16 upon the top 17 of the machine carries an adjustable block 18 which may be raised or lowered by a set screw 19, said block having a slot for receiving said upright. A shaft 20 is journalled in this support and extends over the bag guideway or platform 3. The outer end of the shaft 20 carries a hub or collar 21 thru which a transverse rod 22 extends. A pair of end tuckers 23 are adjustably mounted upon said rod by means of set screws 24, The inner end of the shaft 20 is provided with a collar 25 having a stop stud 26 projecting therefrom which is adapted for engaging an adjustable stop screw 27 carried by a support 28 upon the hearing when the tuckers are in the position shown in Figure 6 for making the forward tuck in the front end of the bag. A coil spring 29 is attached at one end to the stud 26 and at its other end to a stud 30 upon the vertical stanchion 16 for rotating shaft 20 in both directions aswill presently appear. When the moving bag engages the forward tucker arm 23 for makin the forward end tuck, the rod 22 will be 5 ightly elevated by the time the tuck is completed, until the pin 26 rotates past dead center at which time the spring 29 will become effective for rotating or snapping the tuckin mechanism for making the rear end tuck. n doing this, the spring 29 will rotate the arm- 22 in a clockwise direction to bring the rear tucker arm 23 against the rear of the bag at which time, the rod 22 is oppositely inclined as will be apparent.

Mechanism has been provided whereby the tucking mechanism is reset to the position shown in Figure 6 as the bag travels onward so the same will be in position for the next succeeding bag. To this end, a pin 31 extends from the shaft 20 and thru a slot 32 in a link 33 which is pivoted at its lower end to a lever 34 which is pivoted intermediate its ends to the'side of the machine bench 17 as indicated at 34a. The forward end of the lever 34 is of substantially hook shape as indicated at 346 (Figure 1). A rod 340 rises from the bench 17 and a light coil spring 34d connects the upper end of the rod 340 with the rear end of the lever 34. When the rod 22 is oppositely inclined for making the rear tuck, the link 33 will be elevated and the lever 34 will be inclined with the forward end lying in the path of an arm 12 of the bag conveyor and when the bag has advanced to bring such arm 12 into engagement with the lever 34, the said lever will be moved from its inclined position to its horizontal position and the link 33 will bring the parts back to the positions shown in Figure 6.

The bag with its ends tucked in will be advanced by the conveyor along the bag runway or guideway and the tucked in neck of the bag will pass between a pair of spaced rollers 35 (Figure 2) which tend to prevent the neck of the bag from spreading after the tucking in operation. Further movement of the bag will bring the same into operative relation with a pair of scoring rolls 36 and 37 best shown in Figure 7. The scoring roll 36 has a pair of grooves 36a that coact with ribs 37a on the roll 37 for scoring the neck of the bag upon one side at two spaced points. The roll 36 also has a rib 36b that coacts with a groove 37 b upon the roll 37 for scoring the neck of the bag upon the opposite side. As the neck of the bag passes between the rolls 36 and 37, it will be properly scored to facilitate the folding thereof.

As the bag advances and leaves the scoring rolls, the scored neck will pass into a former 38 which is fastened by .a pair of metal straps 39 or the like. The former is best shown in Figures 8 to 10 and in referring to said figures, it will be observed that the same consists of a member having a U-shaped metalsection 40, the flanges41 and 42 of which engage the scorings upon one side of the neck 2a of the bag, and a second member 43 having a lower flange 44.for engaging the scoring upon the opposite face of the bag, and a curved upper portion 43a that flexes the neck of the bag over the flange 41.

III)

The lower flange 42 of the U-shaped section progressively increases in width as is evident from a comparison of Figures 8 and 9 in order to partially fold the neck of the bag at that point as shown in Figure 9 while the upper flange 41 merges into a curve 41a for engaging the exterior of the upper portion or flap 45. The curve 43a of the member 43 progresses into a more arcuate portion 46 as shown in Figure 9 while the lower flange 44 progressively increases to fold the lower portion of the neck.

. From the point illustrated in Figure 9 the curved flange 41a gradually increases to fold the flap 45 further against the main part of the neck of the bag while the curved flange 46 of the member 43 gradually recedes for the purpose of engaging the back of the fold as shown in Figure 10. When the flap 45 has been folded tosubstantially a vertical position, the member 40 vanishes and a second U-shaped forming member 47 (Figure 10) comes into action. This member 47 has a lower straight edged flange 48 that engages the lowermost portion of the neck for the purpose of serving as a fulcrum for folding the neck. The member 47 also has an upper flange 49 with a downwardly sloping inner edge 50. It will of course be understood that the upper flange 49 is narrower at the beginning than shown in Figure 10 in order to engage the flap 45 when it is substantially vertical. From its initial point, the flange 49 progressively increases to fold the flap 45 against the body portion of the neck as shown in Figure 10. At a suitable point, the member 47 disappears and the flange 46 of the member 43 becomes flat on top as indicated at 46a, bends down at right angles as indicated at 46?) and turns inwardly at substantially right angles as indicated at 46a to engage the lowermost part of the neck of the bag whereby the neck of the bag becomes folded over upon itself and as the flap 45 is folded between two parts, a sort of lock fold is produced that eflectively prevents any escape of the contents of the bag. Itwill of course be understood that the former slopes downwardly as shown in Figure 1 as the parts of the neck are gradually folded to a point adjacent the filled portion of the bag.

As the bag emerges from the former, it passes under the tap box 51 the bottom of which tends to hold the folded neck down. Mechanism within the box is adapted to be set'in motion by the bag for feeding a piece of tape 52 in the path of the bag and later shearing the same, as will later be more fullyset forth. The tape is applied to the bag by a roller 53 (Figure 1).

The roller 53 is journalled upon a link 54 which is pivotally suspended from a bar 55 which is pivoted at its rear end to the side of the tape box as indicated at 56. A second bar 57 is pivoted to the link 54 coaxially with the roller. The link 57 has a slot 58 through which a pin 59 extends. The pin 59 is fastened in a bracket 51a suspended from thetape box. A coil spring 60 is attached at one end to the pin 59 and at its other end to a pin 61 upon a forward portion of the bar 57.

When the advancing bag engages the roller, the link 54 will swing forwardly and up wardly until the pin 59 engages the rear end of the slot 58 in the bar 57 Thisoperation will put the spring 60 under tension. As the bag continues to pass from under the tape box, the top thereof will be engaged by the roller 53 which will iron and press the tape upon the bag as the spring 60 draws the roller 53 rearwardly. \Vhen the bag has passed beyond the cam hump 77a which will later be more fully set forth, the clutch 78 will be disengaged and the shears will drop to sever the advanced tape. When the bag has fully emerged from under the tape box, the roller 53 will roll down the rear side of the bag and be urged against the same as the bars 55 and 57 descend, for the roller 53 moves forward in an are as the bar 57 is lowered to horizontal position from an elevated position. The sealed bag is then passed under a brush comb 62 which takes out the wrinkles in the tape and maintains the same on the bag.

Instead of using the tape applying mechanism ust described, the modified form of tape applying mechanism shown in Figure 19 may be used and which consists of a single arm 130 pivoted at its rear end to the side of the tape box 51, as indicated at 131. A cross head 132 is pivoted to the forward end of this lever and a roller 133 is journalled upon each end of the cross head. As the bag 2 advances and encounters the lower roller the same will ride upward over the front end of the bag and applying the tape. When the upper roller has been elevated above the bag, the cross head will rotate due to the bag acting against the lower roller so that the upper roller will rotate over the top of the bag. When the lower roller has been elevated above the bag, it will ride over the top thereof, and as soon as the other roller passed off the top of the bag the same will roll down the rear end of the bag for pressing the tape thereon. The cross head is preferably provided with a flat sided hub 134 with which a leaf spring 135 engages to yieldingly hold the cross head in a vertical plane. To maintain the device in the proper position for engaging a bag, a studv 136 may be secured in the side of the tape box.

The manner and means for feeding the tape in the path of the advancing bag will now be set forth. The tape 52 is wound upon a reel 63 upon the top of the tape box and it passes from said reel into said box through a suitable slot or opening 64 (Figure 16). In the box, there are a pair of feed rolls between which the adhesive tape passes. Adjacent the rear of the feed rolls 65, there is a shearing platform 66 over which the tape is fed by the feed rolls. A shears 67 is in operative relation with said platform.

This shears projects through one end of the tape box (Fig. 17) and is pivoted upon a stub shaft 68 which in turn is supported in a boss or hub 69 (Fig. 15) on the exterior of one end of the tape box. A spring 70 (Figure 15) surrounds the stub shaft 68 with one end anchored to the shaft and the other end anchored to the hub of the shears for assisting gravity in actuating the shears for shearing a piece of tape. The projecting end of the shears has an upwardly sloping cam head 71 (Figure 17) which is laterally offset (Figure 15). A stud 72 on a clutch actuating arm 73 is adapted to ride over said cam head for elevating the shears, when said arm is swung for applying the clutch.

The clutch actuating arm 73 is secured upon a shaft 74 suitably journalled upon the tape box. A pair of arms 75 are respectively and rigidly secured to the ends of this shaft and extend downwardly. The lower end of each arm 75 carries an adjustable arm 76 (Figures 2 and 15) that extends into the bag guideway. A bar 77 is attached to these adjustable arms 76. In referring to Figure 17, it will be noted that each adjustable arm 76 consists of two sections 7 6a and 766 which may be extended or retracted by any suitable means such as a bolt and slot connection as shown in Figure 17. This bar 77 normally extends a short distance from the bag guideway and it is provided with a central cam hump 77a that extends a short distance into the guideway so that an advancing bag will engage the same and force the bar beyond the guideway and thereby swing the arms 75 for rocking shaft 74. The cam hump 77a has preferably curved terminals and is of a suflicient length to maintain the clutch in engagement with the driving gear a proper interval for feeding a desired length of adhesive tape. This rocking movement of shaft 74 will swing the clutch arm 73 for engaging the clutch 78 (Figure 18) with the gear 79 upon the shaft 80 that supports the lower roll 65. A spring 80a is designed to disengage said clutch. Agear 81 on shaft 80 meshes with a gear 82 on the shaft of the upper feed roll 65 for conjointly rotating said shafts for feeding a strip of adhesive tape in the path of the bag.

It will of course be understood that the shears 67 has been elevated before the tape is fed between the rolls 65 and will be held in elevation a proper interval during which the bag rides against the cam hump 7711. Consequently as the tape is fed forward it will pass over the shearing platform 66 and over a moistening roll 83 which is secured upon a shaft 84 journalled in the'wall of the tape box and projecting through the rear side thereof. This projecting end of shaft 84 carries a pair of gears 85 and 86, the former meshes with an idler roller 79a which drives the gear 79 on shaft 80 while the latter meshes with two gears 87 and 88 which are respectively secured upon shafts 89 and 90 which extend into the tape box and respectively carry guide rolls 91 and 92 which guide and direct the tape over the moistening roll and through the discharge opening 93 in the lower forward corner of the tape box. The shaft 84 is adapted to be power driven by means of sprocket gearing consisting of a sprocket gear 94 thereon and a sprocket chain 95 which is connected to a sprocket gear 96 (Figure 2) on a shaft 97 which is suitably journalled in bearings upon the machine bench 17 and is geared to a motor 98.

The moistening roll 83 extends into a water trough 99 therebeneath and the water in this trough is maintained at a constant level just in contact with said roll. This constant level is maintained by means of a spillway 100 (Figure 17 which extends over a well 101 containing water. A rope conveyor 102 extends into this well and is trained over a rope pulley 103 which is journalled upon a shaft in said well. This rope conveyor is also trained over a pulley 104 upon the shaft 84 of the moistening roll.

The aforementioned motor shaft 97 is connected by sprocket gear 105 with a shaft 106 which carries a pair of worm gears 107 that respectively mesh with worm gears 108 upon the shafts of the scoring rolls. The shafts of the scoring rolls are geared by suitable sprocket gearing 109, 109 to the aforementioned rolls 35.

The conveyor chain 10 that propels the bags is respectively trained over suitable head and tail sprockets journalled below the machine bench. 17. The tail sprocket which is designated 110 (Figure 13) is j ournalled upon a shaft 111. The head s rocket 112 (Figure 4) is fast upon a sha t 113 that extends through the machine bench or top 17 and carries a bevel gear 114 which is driven by a bevel gear 115 (Figure 2) secured upon a shaft 116 journalled in suitable bearings upon the machine top. The shaft 116 is connected by sprocket gearing 117 with the motor shaft 97 i In order that different sized bags may be closed in this machine, the bag platform 3 is made vertically adjustable by means of a pair of adjusting screws 118 (Figures 1 and 12). Each screw extends through a box 119 in a supporting leg 120 of 'the machine. A gear 121 provided with a sleeve hub that fits the vertical dimension of the box is threaded upon each shaft. A shaft 122 is journalled in these legs and carries a pair of gears 123 only one of which is -shown that mesh with the Ito gears 121. The screws 118 have suitable pads or supports 124 at their upper ends for engaging the bottom of the bag platform 3. The shaft 122 has a handwheel 125 whereby the same may be rotated for raising or lowerin the bag platform for different sized bags.

11 the case of different sized bags, it is also desirable to adjust the guideway and to this end the guides 3a are securedupon nuts 126 (Figures 1, 5 and 7) which are lo cated in apertures or slots 127 in the bag platform. A screw 128 is anchored for rota tion only in a hanger 130 (Figure 7) suspending from the bag platform and is threaded through the nuts, so that rotation 'of the screw will contract or expand the guides. As many sets of nuts and screws may be used as desired. In the present instance, the guides are sup ported by two pair of nuts, each of which is operated by a screw 128 having a handwheel 129 (Figure 1) thereon.

In the operation of the machine, the motor is started to operate the bag conveyor, the scoring rolls and the guide rolls which will continuously operate until the motor is shut down. The machine involves a continuous operation as distinguished from an intermittent operation. The conveyor 1 will feed the filled bags to the machine, the first bag will be arrested by the arm 4. However, when the roller 8 of the first bag propeller 12a that comes around the tail sprocket, actuates the spring 6 and releases the pressure upon the arm 4, the arrested bag will move said arm out of its path and advance upon the bag platform 3 in position to be engaged by the succeeding bag propeller, which will release a second bag for the next succeeding propeller.

As this first deposited bag is propelled by the bag conveyor, it will set the end tuckers 23 in operation for tucking in the ends of the neck of the bag. After this operation, the neck of the bag will pass between the scoring rolls 37 and then through the former 38 which folds the scored neck of the bag as shown in Figure 11. From the former, the bag with its folded down neck will pass under the tape box and engage the member 77 for throwing in the clutch and actuating the tape feeding rolls for feeding a piece of tape into the path of the bag and as the bag advances it will pick up the suspended tape which has been fed forward by the rolls and which will be pressed and ironed over the top and slides by the operation of the roller 53. When the tape has been applied, the bag will be propelled under the brush comb 62 which will tend to take any Wrinkles out of the tape and smooth the same on the bag While the glue is setting. These different acts are performed in a continuous operation.

It will be appreciated that the bag is effectively folded so that nothing can escape therefrom and is sealed through a strip of adhesive tape that is firmly applied thereto. Further on account of the continuous operation of the machine, there is no necessity for timing the operation of different parts so that a more simple, desirable and eflicient operation will occur.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a bag closing machine, mechanism for tucking in the ends ofthe neck of the bag, mechanism for scoring the neck of the bag, a former for folding the neck of the bag at the scored lines and means for applying an adhesive tape over the folded bag.

. 2. In a bag closing machine, a bag platform, a continuously operating conveyor for propelling the bags along said platform, end tuckers actuated by said moving bag for tucking in the ends of the neck of the bag, a former for folding the tucked in neck of the bag, and a roller adapted for travelling over a portion of the front end, top, and rear side of the bag for applying an adhesive tape thereto.

3. In a bag closing machine, a platform, a continuously operating conveyor for propelling bags along said platform, end tuckers set in motion by the moving bag for tucking in the ends of the neck thereof, scoring rolls for scoring said neck, a former for folding said neck and means set inmotion'by the movement of said bag for applying an adhesive tape. I

4. In a bag closing machine, means for conveying a filled bag, means for folding the neck thereof, tape feeding mechanism set in motion by'the movements of said bag, and tape applying mechanism yieldingly supported in the path of said bag and adapted for passing over a portion of the front end, top and rear end of said bag during its movements and means for pressing said tape applying mechanism. against the rear end of said bag.

5. In a bag closing machine, a platform,

means for continuously conveying a bag along said platform, end tuckers set in motion by the movement of said bag for tucking in the ends of the neck thereof during the traveling movements of said bag, means for folding the neck of the bag, tape feeding mechanism set in motion by the movement of said bag and tape applying mechanism automatically resppnsive to the movement of said bag for pressing a piece of tape on said bag.

6. In a bag closing machine, mechanism for tucking in the ends of the neck of the bag, mechanism for scoring said neck, mechanism for folding the scored neck and tape 'applyingmechanism for pressing a piece of tape thereon.

7. In a bag closing machine, a platform, a conveyor for moving a bag along said platform, mechanism for folding the neck of the bag, tape feeding mechanism and a yieldingly mounted roller in the path of said bag adapted for upward movement when encountered by the bag and for forward pressing movement against the rear of the bag when the bag passes therebeyond.

8. In a bag closing machine, a continuously operating bag conveyor for conveying a bag, end tuckers automatically responsive to the movments of said bag for tucking in the ends of the neck thereof, means for scoring the neck of saidbag, means for folding the scored neck and tape applying mechanism responsive to the movement of said bag for applying a piece of adhesive tape to the folded portion of said ba 9. In a bag closing mac ine, a guide platform, a continuously operating conveyor for advancing bags along said platform, end tuckers responsive to the movements of said bag for tucking in the ends of the neck thereof, scoring rolls for scoring said neck, a former for folding said neck on its scored lines, a tape feedin and shearing mechanism controlled by said bag and a tape applying mechanism yieldingly supported in the path of said bag and adapted for riding over the front top and pressing against the rear thereof.

10. In a bag closing machine, a platform,

a continuously operating conveyor for conveying a bag along said platform, end tuckers set in motion by the movement of the bag for tucking in the ends of the neck of the bag while said bag is in motion, means for folding the neck of the bag while the same is in motion, tape feeding mechanism controlled by the movements of the-ba and tape applying mechanism automatical y responsive to the movement of said bag for pressing a iece of tape thereon.

11. In a ag closing machine, a platform,

- a continuously oper'atm conveyor for moving bags along said plat orm, mechanism for tucking in the ends of the neck of the bag while the same is in motion comprising means extending into the path of the 'bag, mechanism for folding the tucked in neck portion of the ba mechanism for advancing a strip of ad esive tape into the path of the bag comprising starting mechanism therefor extending into the path of the bag in ad Vance of said end tucking mechanism and means for applying the tape over the folded top of the bag.

12. In a bag closing machine, a platform, a continuously operating conveyor for continuously moving bags along said platform, mechanism for tucking in the ends of the neck of the bag comprising an actuating member extending into the path of the bag; mechanism for folding the tucked in nec portion of the bag, mechanism for advancing Illinois.

CHARLES F. ALLISON. 

